Question

Two children are pulling on opposite sides of a blanket. The brother is pulling with a force of 3 N. The sister is pulling with a force of 5 N. What is the net force? In which direction would the blanket move: toward the brother or toward the sister?

Answer 1

Let F1=Force exerted by the brother (+F1)
F1= Force exerted by the sister (-F2)

Fnet=(+F1) + (-F2)
Fnet= (+F1) + (-F2)
Fnet=F1 - F2
Fnet= (+3N)+(-5N)
Fnet= -2N

-F

towards the sister (-F) (greater force applied)